Angel Tree and Giving Tree programs give Christmas joy for Green River's seniors

When it comes to Christmas, the spirit of generosity extends throughout the community, but a few organizations put in extra effort to make sure one group isn't forgotten - Green River's senior citizens.

To make sure seniors can experience the joy of Christmas, Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center and the Villa and Golden Hour Senior Center both host giving tree programs each year.

The Mission at Castle Rock giving tree program is known as the "Angel Tree," named after the angel-shaped paper cutouts listing the residents' Christmas wishes that are used to decorate a Christmas tree set up at the rehabilitation center.

"The angel tree is something that we've been doing for a number of years now," Heidi Penfold explained. "Residents actually don't have their name on the tree, so you don't know who you're getting, which is kind of the fun part of it."

Community members can pick out an angel from the tree, or more than one if they want, and buy the present ideas listed on it. Angels come with an instruction sheet on how to wrap the presents so they go to the correct resident. The gifts are then returned to Castle Rock and given to the residents who asked for them on Christmas morning.

"We do every resident on both the skilled nursing side and the assisted living side in the Villa," Penfold said, explaining this adds up to about 66 residents in total. She said people often volunteer to buy Christmas gifts for any new residents that are admitted before the holiday as well.

In order to put the Angel Tree together, Penfold goes around to ask all the residents want they want for Christmas.

"A lot of them, the answer is 'to go home' or 'to be well,'" Penfold said. She says the staff at Castle Rock always respond to these answers by saying that is what they want too, but they need ideas for something more tangible for presents.

"Most of our wishes are very humble," Penfold said. "People really don't want a whole lot."

Sometimes staff members have to help residents come up with ideas for presents, Penfold explained, but they can usually think of simple things they want. Every angel has at least three gift ideas on it, though some may have more, depending on what the resident asks for.

"One of our biggest [requests] is liquor," Penfold noted with a laugh, joking "they want the booze!"

In general, most of the resident's requests are for basic and inexpensive items.

Present ideas on some of this year's angels included sweat pants, fuzzy socks (which should have a non-skid bottom), puzzles, books, craft materials, shampoo and conditioner, beard care, cookies, chocolate and peanuts.

Hearing the resident's Christmas wishes is Penfold's favorite part of doing the Angel Tree every year.

"It's grounding for me," she added, getting choked up. "It's very grounding for us, and very humbling, and it makes you truly ponder and contemplate on what the true meaning of Christmas is in many ways."

Penfold also loves watching the residents open their gifts on Christmas morning.

"I'm telling you, those smiles make it," she said. "[The smiles] make it every time. Wouldn't trade that for the world."

This year's gifts for the Angel Tree will be kept locked up at Castle Rock, Penfold said, noting she won't have a repeat of last year, when someone broke into the rehabilitation center and stole all the Angel Tree presents shortly before Christmas. Penfold explained the situation was "the perfect storm" as the center was focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penfold, who always runs the Angel Tree program, was busy with work in the COVID unit as the center experienced an outbreak, and the presents weren't as carefully organized and watched as usual, allowing the break in to happen.

"This year we're much more prepared so that that won't happen again," Penfold said.

Despite the selfish actions of one last year, the community is usually generous and supportive of the Angel Tree program.

"Everyone is so giving and loving and generous this time of year," Penfold said. "We're truly blessed to have the community we have . . . They take care of their elders, that's for darn sure."

While Castle Rock's Angel Tree focuses on residents at the rehabilitation center and assisted living facility, the Golden Hour Senior Center Giving Tree reaches other seniors throughout the community.

"Our giving tree is for senior citizens in the Green River area, and we have been doing it for quite a few years now," GHSC Director Jackie Grubb explained. "And we just open it up for senior citizens who are in need at Christmastime."

Seniors can apply to be part of the Giving Tree program, which is based on financial need and allows them to ask for things they need.

"It's kind of a big eye-opener to anybody who's never done it before, just to see what kind of needs that they have," Grubb said.

Giving Tree requests often include basic items like groceries and toilet paper, or money or gift cards to buy these things for themselves.

"So it's really eye-opening for people to see that there are a lot of seniors in our area with just those basic needs that are not being met," Grubb said. "And so we really love to do it every year so that our seniors can not only have a nice Christmas but also get some of those basic needs met that maybe they aren't getting."

Grubb explained the Giving Tree typically has between 50 and 80 seniors participate.

Community members can stop by Golden Hour Senior Center to get a tag off the Giving Tree and buy the presents requested on it. Gifts should be returned to the senior center unwrapped. GHSC staff will wrap the gifts and deliver them the Friday before Christmas.

Grubb said monetary donations are also accepted, or people who want to participate but aren't able to shop can pick out a tag and donate money and GHSC staff members will do the shopping.

Delivering the presents to the seniors' houses is Grubb's favorite part of the program, because "it's always fun to watch their faces light up."

The Giving Tree program is just one way GHSC works to support local seniors, but it's an important part of helping during the holiday season.

"We think that it has a huge impact on the senior community in Green River," Grubb said. "A lot of them live alone, so it is a great reminder to them that they are not alone, they're not forgotten."

Both the Angel Tree and Giving Tree programs are open to community participation during the month of December. Penfold noted the Angel Tree, which went up earlier this week, often has all the angels claimed within the first day or two. However, those who are interested in the program or have questions can contact Penfold at (307) 872-4655. Those wishing to participate in GHSC's Giving Tree program can stop by the center to take a tag.